Classic French Apple Cake (Easy Recipe) (2024)

Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium size bowl, whisk togetherall-purpose flour,baking powder, and salt. This is yourflour mixture.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In alarge mixing bowl, cream together room-temperature butter and sugar using anelectric hand mixeruntil well combined and fluffy.

Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs and vanilla extractuntil well incorporated.

Combine Ingredients: Add thedry ingredientsto thewet ingredientsin the large mixing bowl. Beat until just combined. Addmilk, and beat until thecake batteris well mixed.

Fold in the Apples: Gently fold in cubed apples into thecake batterusing arubber spatula.

Pour and Bake: Pour thecake batterinto theprepared pan, smoothing thetop of the batterwith a spatula. Bake in themiddle positionof the oven for 20 minutes.

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Prepare Topping: While the cake is baking, prepare the topping. In a small saucepan, melt butter and sugar.

Prepare Topping: Remove from heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in eggs and vanilla extract.

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Add Topping: After 20 minutes, pour the topping evenly over thetop of the cake.

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Continue Baking: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

Add Almonds: Sprinkle sliced almonds on top and bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until almonds just begin to turngolden brown.

Cool and Serve: Allow thecake to coolin the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, run a sharp knife around thesides of the bowland remove the cake from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar.

Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
• Dairy-Free: Replace milk with almond or oat milk and use a plant-based butter.

What kind of apples are best for a French apple cake?

Honey crisp apples are highly recommended due to their balance of sweetness and tartness. You can also use Pink Lady or Fuji apples as good alternatives.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Yes, a hand mixer will work just fine. The key is to make sure your wet ingredients are thoroughly mixed into a smooth texture.

How do I store leftover cake?

Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It should stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How many days does apple cake last?

The French apple cake can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days when wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container. It’s recommended to enjoy it within this timeframe to experience the best texture and flavor. Unfortunately, this particular cake doesn’t freeze well.

Is the almond topping optional?

The almond topping adds crunch and flavor, but you can omit it or substitute with another nut of your choice, such as walnuts or pecans.

If you loved this easy French Apple Cake recipe, check out these other great recipes.

• ▢ 6 tbsp butter room temperature
• ▢ 2/3 cup sugar
• ▢ 2 eggs room temperature
• ▢ 2 tsp vanilla
• ▢ 1 2/3 cups flour
• ▢ 4 tsp baking powder
• ▢ 1/2 tsp salt
• ▢ 1/3 cup milk room temperature
• ▢ 17.5 oz apples peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4-5 medium apples)

Topping

• ▢ 10 tbsp butter
• ▢ 1 cup sugar
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 oz sliced almonds
• ▢ powdered sugar for dusting

• Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment paper.

• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium size bowl. Set aside.

• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until combined.

• Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.

• Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, beating until just combined. Add the milk, and beat until well combined.

• Gently fold in the cubed apples into the batter.

• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20 minutes.

• While the cake is baking, prepare the topping. In a small saucepan, melt butter and sugar. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Whisk the eggs, and vanilla extract.

• After 20 minutes, pour the topping evenly over the cake. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes.

• Sprinkle sliced almonds and bake for 3-5 minutes, or until almonds just begin to turn golden

• Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, run a sharp knife around the edges and remove the cake from the pan. Dust with powdered sugar. Slice the cake and serve with whipped cream. Cake can also be refrigerated and served cold. To serve cake cold, let cool completely then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.